Professional Development Fund
Deadline: First come, first served pending availability of funds.
Purpose: The Professional Development Fund grant provides support for project expenses including preparation of classroom teaching, scholarly and creative activity, and academic advising. Examples of projects include individual research, refresher or retraining courses, manuscript preparation, preparation for performances and exhibitions, course development, and workshops lasting more than four days. Faculty Development Committee (FDC) wishes to encourage joint projects, especially interdisciplinary ones. Individuals in a joint project will be funded separately according to individual guidelines even though only one project application needs to be submitted.
Please note, if plans or circumstances change, it is the responsibility of the faculty member to request committee approval of a revised proposal.
Eligibility: see "Faculty Categories and Eligibility for Funding" for eligibility and amount of funding allocated for each category.
Expectations & Rules:
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Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis provided that funds remain. Applications are to be received by FDC a minimum of three weeks* (we recommend four weeks) prior to the project start date in order to be considered. Applications received after June 15 will be considered for funding in the next academic year. *The committee recognizes that some Professional Development opportunities arise unexpectedly. In these cases, please consult with the Dean of Faculty with extenuating circumstances.
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If you are requesting funding for multiple projects, you should include a statement with each proposal explaining the relationship between the projects.
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FDC will fund preparation of a scholarly or artistic project. Under special circumstances this project could include student researchers or University employees. In such cases University employment policies must be followed. Please check with Becky Wallace if your project will require this type of support.
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FDC will fund costs for photocopying and postage connected with preliminary work on a research or artistic project.
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The fund may be used for extraordinary publication costs, such as color plates or page charges in refereed journals, but not for the entire publication of a work.
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The Professional Development Grant does not fund the purchase of computers or books.
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FDC will fund the purchase of permanent equipment and software for individuals in those cases in which the equipment is to be used to support professional research, and would not ordinarily be supported with departmental or other university funds. The equipment becomes the property of the University. Media Services will catalog the equipment for use by other departments.
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This fund cannot be used for faculty stipends.
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Faculty members considering projects that involve technology should consult with Faculty Instructional Technology Support (FITS) at least two weeks prior to the application deadline.
Funding Categories and Procedures:
Faculty members applying for a Professional Development Fund grant must designate an application category on the application form. The categories are as follows:
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Scholarly and creative activity. FDC wants to enrich faculty members’ training and expertise in their fields. Examples could include expenses for research projects such as travel to libraries, preparation of manuscripts, equipment and supplies for the laboratory; preparing for performances and exhibitions, master classes; refresher or retraining courses.
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Teaching innovation. FDC seeks to encourage innovative approaches to teaching that cannot be supported through other means or expansion into other areas of teaching. A case must be made that the approach, if successful, will have significant impact on, and utility in, classroom teaching. Projects that involve team teaching or cross-disciplinary activities are especially encouraged. Items purchased must be for use in the classroom or laboratory and become the property of DePauw University. Examples could include non-routine software, master-class/workshop expenses, and training courses. The final report must include an assessment of how the materials or training have affected or will affect the courses you teach.
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Extended Off-Campus Workshops. FDC supports off-campus workshops lasting more than four days. For short-term workshops with expenses less than $1000, apply through the Professional Conference and Workshop Fund. (Cannot use both PDF and Professional Workshop funding together for same workshop.)
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Language immersion. Funding for a language immersion visit must involve a stay in the culture of the immersion visit of at least three weeks. A faculty member may be funded for a language immersion only once every four years. The faculty member should plan to participate in a structured program of study of the language, or to work with a credentialed tutor, unless he or she already has significant experience and competence with the target language.
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Professional Society Officer. Up to a maximum of $250 a year can be funded to help defray some costs involved with holding an office in a learned society.
Reporting Process: Receipts for all expenses (except for meals) and a completed accounting reimbursement voucher worksheet must be submitted to Becky Wallace within four weeks of returning from the conference for reimbursement.
Criteria for Evaluation: First-come, first-served pending availability of funds.